Ignorance is linked to ignorance.
Ignorance (from Latin ignorantĭa ) is the lack of knowledge in particular or culture in general. The person who ignores something does not know it or does not understand it. For example: "Don't talk to me about chemistry: my ignorance in that subject is absolute", "Ignorance can only be fought with education" .
Ignorance, therefore, can be considered in an absolute sense (the person or social group that lacks training: “There is a lot of ignorance in this country” , “It is convenient for the powerful that there is ignorance in the people: this is more easy to submit” ) or with respect to a specific content (when someone does not know something specific: “I decided to take a course to end my ignorance about computing” ).
In addition to all of the above, we cannot ignore the fact that the term in question is also widely used in the field of law. Thus, in this sector, the aforementioned word attempts to express that someone has absolute ignorance of the prevailing law. However, this cannot be alleged in a trial as an excusing cause since it is established that once the legislation is published, all citizens have to know it.
Ignorance in philosophy
In the philosophical field there is an expression in Latin that makes use of the concept that we are now analyzing. Specifically, it is Docta ignorantia , which is used to make it clear that the wise man maintains a very cautious attitude when addressing the limitation that exists on the faculties of knowledge or on the problems of the Universe.
The theologian Nicholas of Cusa, considered the father of German philosophy, was one of the historical figures who made the most use of this Latin expression. But he was not the only one because Saint Bonaventure and Saint Augustine also did the same.
Another of the most important philosophers in history who also addressed the term ignorance with interest and depth was the Greek Plato. For him, this ignorance was to blame for all the evils that plagued society at that time. Specifically, he considered that when someone did evil it was a palpable result of their lack of knowledge, of his ignorance.
Beyond the absence of knowledge, ignorance can also be caused by imperfection in the contents of knowledge or by the lack of validity of the information being handled: “What ignorance! The neighbor is convinced that Rio de Janeiro is the capital of Chile.”
Listening to those who know is a good way out of ignorance.
Maintaining the status quo
Ignorance, at a general level, is a tool to maintain the status quo . When people don't know something, they can't change it. In other words: first you have to know reality in order to then be able to modify it.
Some cultural or religious beliefs are a reflection of ignorance. The person who decides to take their sick child to a witch instead of a doctor reflects that they do not know the importance of health systems. He who does nothing to change his personal situation because he believes that everything obeys divine will also shows his ignorance.